XXIV.-THE ATLANTIC SALMON (SALMO SALAH). 



A— REPORT ON THE COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF 

 PENOBSCOT SALMON IN 1873-74 AND lS74-'75. 



By Charles G. Atkins, 

 1. — METHODS. 



The modes employed in the collection of salmon-eggs at Bucksport 

 iu 1873 and 1874, and in their development and distribution, have been 

 so closely like those of 1872- ? 73, fully described in the report for that 

 season, that it will be simply necessary to specify the changes and new 

 features introduced. 



No changes were made in the mode of collecting breeding-fish from 

 the weirs, save the larger use of boxes in bringing them together from 

 the several weirs where they were caught to the boat wherein they were 

 to be brought to Bucksport, and some improvement in the fittings of 

 the tran sporting-boats and in the materials of the dipping-bags. The 

 latter were at first made of cotton- duck, pierced by brass grommet- 

 holes. Hemp was found to be superior to cotton, having greater flexi- 

 bility, strength, and durability, but the brass grommets are still used. 



At the pond, a much larger inclosure was made than in 1872, embrac- 

 ing about twelve acres at time of high water, and probably nine acres 

 at low water, with an area of at least six acres 5 to 9 feet deep at the 

 lowest stage. The 650 salmon inclosed in 1873 had therefore very 

 nearly a square rod of deep water for each. For the brush-hedge, 

 which proved so ineffectual iu 1872, there was substituted a strong net, 

 its top suspended on stakes and its lower edge held down by a heavy 

 chain. Owing to the favorable natural contour of the pond, this large 

 inclosure required a net only 640 feet long and about 18 feet deep. 

 Within this inclosure, the arrangements for catching the salmon at the 

 breeding-season were the same, with some extension, as before, and 

 in 1874 nets were stretched along all the inclosed shores with the view of 

 shutting them off from gravel to spawn on, that they might be more 

 certain to enter the brook or the pounds and thus come within reach. 



In the brook itself there was built a board sluice about 20 inches 

 wide, rising and falling with the water, to lead the salmon directly from 



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